Naked to Our Enemies

By

Fred C. Ikl&eacute;

Updated March 10, 1997 1:42 p.m. ET

Where, in defense of American interests, might the U.S. have to use its powerful military forces? Pentagon experts are now revisiting this question as part of a defense review mandated by Congress. They will re-examine strategies and forces for the Persian Gulf, for Balkan hot spots, for managing NATO's expanding perimeter, for protecting Asian allies and sea lanes, for engaging in peacekeeping in Africa and drug fighting in Colombia, indeed for defending U.S. interests in every region--save one. The region neglected by Pentagon planners happens to be of some interest to us, the American people. It is our own...